Wednesday, July 31, 2013

David Brownlow has reminded me that I've overlooked the passing of famed trumpet player and teacher Laurie Frink who left us on July 14 Highly rated by her contemporaries as both teacher and player Ms Frink played in the big bands of Benny Goodman, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis and many others including the award winning tribute to Gil Evans by Ryan Truesdale.

Rob Edgar over atLondonJazzNews sets out a case to prove that, despite the opinion of some geezer from Guildford, the North East and Berwick in particular is not desolate. To strengthen his case, he mentions this very blog! Thank you Rob. If Brian Martin cares to send me details I'll add his venue to the listings.

An intriguing disc! Not quite sure how to categorise it - lift music it ain't! It's contemporary for sure. It straddles a lot of borders - jazz, classical, popular and maybe others.

The strength of the album lies in the compositions and arrangements of pianist McQuarry. The instrumentation combines a jazz quartet with a string trio plus flautist/vocalist Wiley.. With all these permutations at hand no wonder McQuarry came up with a near unique sound. If these three guys and five gals had been bigger names reviewers may have compared them to Miles' 1949 Nonet. I won't go that far 'cept to say that McQuarry has a future in both composition and arranging. He plays fine piano too!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

It is with sadness, I have to announce, that Filipino trumpet player Berry Yaneza who spent many years at Ned Kelly's playing trumpet, with The Kowloon Honkers & The China Coast Jazzmen, has passed away, I'm sure quite a lot of you remember Berry, with his sweet trumpet playing and antics on stage, plus his amusing vocals on his Japanese and Korean songs.

Berry came to Hong Kong in 1949, and told me that one of his greatest experiences in life was being invited to meet Louis Armstrong while playing a concert in Hong Kong in the 1950's.

From all the management, staff & musicians at Ned Kelly's Last Stand, our condolences to his family.

After an entertaining (but hot)
motorized meander through France,
we arrived as planned at Marseille in time for Wayne Shorter’s appearance at
the local jazz festival. Cooling down in an air-conditioned room overlooking
the old port, the view from the window was very pleasant, even if there was no
sign of a pork pie hat – neither Popeye Doyle’s nor the ‘Prez’.

Arriving at the venue by taxi,
the Palais Longchamp had that quiet, understated elegance so typical of France, with a
towering entrance of fountains, statues and pillars at least six stories high
and curved staircases running up each side. We had expected something outdoors
but not quite as grand as this and so had brought some bottles of water and
bottles of wine. The smiling security at the gate were quite happy for us to
bring in as much wine as we wanted but insisted that the tops were taken off
all the bottles. When asked why, the mimed explanation was that they might be
used as missiles (fair enough, but just imagine an open air gig in England where
the audience would throw full bottles
of alcohol at the stage).

The pedigree is impeccable. Phil
Meadows, First Class Honours from Leeds College of Music, postgraduate studies
at Trinity Laban and having occupied the lead alto chair in NYJO, the
Lancastrian has, to date, worked with some of the biggest names on the scene
including John Dankworth, Cleo Laine, Tim Garland and Jason Yarde. Engines of Creation marks the
saxophonist’s debut CD release as bandleader and composer.

Dutch jazz singer Rita Reys died earlier today (July 28) aged 88. Known as Europe's First Lady of Jazz., Rita Reys continued performing almost to the end.
Listen to her 1963 version of After You've Gone with the Dutch Swing College Band.
Sadly missed.Obituary.Lance.

No, not Wardell Gray and Dexter Gordon but a tv quiz program.
Question: What instrument did jazz musician Ronnie Scott play?
a Clarinet; b Saxophone; c: Piano.
The contestant, a musician herself, plumped for a - clarinet.
The answer was, of course, b - saxophone.
However, it is probable that Ronnie did play clarinet as most sax players of his generation did. So maybe they ought to have brought the third umpire in on this one.Lance.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Yet another new set of names to me. There must be a million of them in The States and a fair number of them are trying to turn a buck in New York City which is where this quartet hails from. One wonders if there are enough fans around to sustain and support the many emerging artists.

I have my doubts and it would be a shame if this band didn't achieve more than passing recognition.

It was all happening at Sage Gateshead tonight. A flower show had taken over the main concourse area relegating Lindsay and co to the café area. Paradoxically, to my ears, the acoustics were better in this less cavernous space. Elsewhere, the remnants of a wedding reception floated about but in our improvised performance area another wedding took place - that of Words and Music.

Friday, July 26, 2013

If you are passionate about music, and the state and future of jazz in particular, and could offer leadership, strategic direction and serve as an ambassador and advocate for the work of Jazz Services, we would like to hear from you.

The Strictly Smokin’ Big Band’s
regular last Thursday in the month date at the Millstone in South
Gosforth is, ostensibly, the band’s rehearsal night but to all
intents and purposes it is a fully fledged concert performance. This month’s
affair was hot, too darn hot. Beers and bottled water quenched a thirst as the
heat wave continued. Windows closed, perhaps to placate nearby residents, the
Millstone’s upstairs function room resembled a sauna for the duration.

A very listenable disc of original compositions by leader
Harrold. Is it jazz? If so, which pigeon-hole does it occupy? In truth,
delightful as it is, I don’t think it will be rubbing shoulders on my shelves between Herbie Hancock and Gene Harris. More
likely I’ll file it under bland.. It is just too repetitive. Perhaps it is
smooth or easy listening or even – almost - contemporary classical chamber
music. But jazz?

Nah!

Still worth a listen if your definition of jazz is looser
than mine and certainly worthy of the better class of lift – except on those
tracks where the strings and the horns are sent out for the coffees then it
becomes more meaningful and less predictable.

A curate’s egg.

Rebecca Harrold: The River of Life is available on the Imaginary Road Studios label.

A jolly afternoon listening to the goodtime jazz of the VCJ was enhanced today by our man in Hong Kong in Tynemouth 'till Saturday Colin Aitchison on trumpet and vocals and ex-pat Aussie based Don Armstrong playing clarinet and alto.

It was a good boisterous session with the guests blending in well with the band. Too many choice moments to pick out save to say the room was crowded and appreciation was shown vociferously. Good also to catch up with Colin who is playing well. Like his late dad, famed trumpet man, Hughie, Colin has a penchant for the humorous quote in his solos and there were several which all added to the light hearted summery atmosphere.

Next Wednesday, July 31, we have the international
regarded recorder virtuoso Alan Davis appearing with Take It To The Bridge but
playing his first love, jazz clarinet! He did that years ago while at
university, but the baroque repertoire, especially that written for recorder
took pride of place.

Currently teaching at Chetham's music school, he's in the
northeast taking part in the annual NORVIS early music workshop held at
Durham University over six days, and this is his fourth annual visit with
us. We are all looking forward to this.

BSH arrived late at the gig because a gas leak
had caused metro delays – we’d travelled on the good old 27 bus instead, we
really need a song about this bus, it serves BSH so well. Some of the gas must have seeped into the
Star, as Debra and the lads were doing their stuff with aplomb when we arrived,
‘cooking with gas’ as they say.

One of the longest serving BBC disc jockey's - David Jacobs is to step down from broadcasting. Jacobs, 87, was first seen on Top of the Pops in 1964.Guardian story.
Thanks to Liz for drawing this to my attention.Lance.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Switched on TV - they were showing a re-run of Mastermind. I was just about to change channels when I heard the 'J' word. Yes, someone intended to answer questions on Jazz. Not only that, but the guy in the hot seat was non other than Ron Simpson of Big Bear Music, the Birmingham Jazz and Blues Festival and the Jazz Rag magazine.

Ron scored an impressive 14 points on his specialist subject only 1 point behind a girl answering questions on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He only slipped up on Slim Gaillard and Flat Foot Floogie.

It was a tight skirmish in the General Knowledge Round with Ron ending up 3rd on 23 pts, "Buffy" on 24 and the eventual winner on 25.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

We don't normally comment on things other than jazz although Chris Froome winning the Tour de France did almost inspire us to turn the page into yellow but why should we? We won it last year, we won it this year, who's to say we won't win it next year and forever?

The alternative was to turn the page into Red White and Blue but we don't have the techno to do that so what I want to say is that the best comment on the Royal Birth is this one - Call him George Michael because he took so long to come out!

A new release by Chick Corea is an event not to be overlooked. When it also features Tim Garland then the interest is doubled for those of us in the north east who have a special affection for Tim due to his long association with the area (One time Director of Music at Newcastle Uni, various collaborations with Northern Sinfonia and the delightful quirkiness of living in a lighthouse at Whitley Bay) and, of course, his instrumental and compositional skills.

Tonight's the night for to dig Wynton Marsalis live at Ronnie's. Never mind that the show's sold out you can hear/see it as it happens - blow by blow at 1030pm - right herein the comfort of your living room/bedroom or wherever.
Read the LondonJazz Newsreview of opening night.Lance.

Monday, July 22, 2013

A couple of photos from Summertyne Americana Festival - not related to any reviews.Left - John Turrell Band with Andy Champion (bs) and David Wilde (ten).Right - Sharon Durant leads choir on concourse.Lance.

Cornelius emerged from the prestigious musical hotbeds of Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music and Julliard with a sackful of degrees and diplomas alongside compositional and instrumental skills that are ably displayed here - he wrote all but one of the nine pieces the other, Projection, being by pianist John Chin.

What an entertainer this
lady is! Even if she didn't sing, she
could make a living as a comedienne, telling tall tales. She had level 1 of Hall One laughing all the
way, with tales of how the songs came to be written, comments about why her
hair was wayward (problems with the hairdryer).
Approximate quote ‘I used to
write songs about being unloved and unhappy, now I write songs about being
loved and unhappy; my husband takes no notice anyway!’

The opening set of Sunday night's double bill in Hall One featured Mud Morganfield, son of the legendary Muddy Waters and now becoming something of a legend in his own right. Resplendent in a white (or was it cream?) suit, Mud took us to Chicago maybe looking in at Detroit along the way. Staple blues fayre that his old man would loved.

“The grit of low-down country and urban blues
with the bold brass of New Orleans; the hand-clapping fervor of gospel
punctuated with fiery postmodern, jazz-infused horn arrangements; the haunting
cries of work songs and pulsating drums that reach back to the real roots of it
all. You’ll journey across the Middle Passage, be driven down Highway 49 from Clarksdale to New
Orleans, go from chain gangs and juke joints to
orchestra pits, church pews and even back porches. HBO’s music is an inspiring
testament to the enduring power, possibilities and boundless beauty of
African-American music.”

We don’t see much of Brendan Croker on Tyneside these days.
This solo outing on the Jumpin’ Hot’s Americana
stage was an all too rare appearance. Sage
Gateshead bustled with seemingly half of Tyneside on site.
Stetsons, the ten gallon variety, sold at a fiver a time. I’ve heard of
‘disposable income’ but really! Cowgals in cowboy boots, wannabee cowboys in
sandals. Yes, Geordie Cowboy dresses to impress! Face-painted offspring,
running around, having a wonderful time, the ‘little darlings’.

It may be my quirky
sense of humour, but I thought that this notice I saw at the side of the Americana outdoor stage
is truly amusing and thought provoking.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE MAXIMUM CAPACITY

ON
PERFORMANCE SQUARE
IS 1500 OCCUPANTS

So does this mean that
if the square is crowded you have to count all the people to make sure that you
are not person number 1501, and if you are, you have to go back inside? Or sneak on to the square and feel guilty,
and worry that the Americana
police will catch you? Or worse, you may simply be hit over the head with a
banjo, or even worse again, be forced to listen to a banjo.

But seriously, I suppose
the notice is mainly for the staff to keep an eye on numbers, which they could
count by adding up the number of rows occupied.
It’s a good job that BSH isn’t working in the business of crowd control,
I don’t think we’d be much use!

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Saturday morning brought the
massed ranks of the Suumertyne Gospel
Choir to the concourse at Sage Gateshead led by Sharon Durant for a Gospel Brunch meeting with first time visitors
to the UK,
the fabulous McCrary Sisters. Four
sisters, Ann, Deborah, Regina and Alfreda, the daughters of
the late Rev Samuel McCrary, backed by an ace band (keyboards, guitar, bass and
drums), gave a stunning display of gospel singing to a huge crowd hanging on
their every word. Café, bars, stairs, balconies, every vantage point was taken.
The McCrarys set about lifting us up. Rise up! Jesus is in the house! There’s a
train a comin’. You get the picture. Lots of clapping (mostly in time), swaying
(some wobbling) and much applause. The McCrary Sisters will be back, no doubt
about it.

Not
a jazz band, but music influenced by country, 1950’s pop, Tex-Mex, Latin and
Cajun. Three tiers of Hall 1 were full
of very enthusiastic fans of all ages who lapped it up, clapped along and
stood to move around to the music. The
band was very rousingly led by Malo. The
keyboards player was ultra extravert, dancing as he played and jumping about. The bass player stood out because of his mode
of dress, all in black except for a golden cross, and white jacket and top
hat.

Just a note to
readers about an item on Radio 4 this morning.This was an analysis of the blues presented by Nick Barraclough.The 12 bar blues is the basis of lots of
popular music since, and it was said that, Chris Barber was the musician who
spotted its potential, even before the white musicians in the USA.Apparently Muddy Waters wouldn't have come to
this country if it hadn't been for Chris Barber.There was a quite technical analysis of the
blues, with information about the contribution of WC Handy.So if you want to know more, (although many
readers will already know about all this), check out the BBC i player (Saturday
20th 10.30am )

The music of Wayne Shorter, the
music of Matt Anderson. The heat wave continued but it didn't deter a fair
number turning out to hear Matt Anderson’s Wild Flower Quintet. One of the joys
of this concert (there were many) was the entirely acoustic performance by the
quintet, including double bassist Sam Vicary eschewing the use of his base amp,
who confided during the interval that he was having to work his instrument that
little bit harder.

Board director opportunities with Jazz North
see http://www.jazznorth.org/opportunities/board-director-opportunities-with-jazz-north
Jazz North – the jazz development agency for northern England, founded in October 2012 with Strategic Funding from Arts Council England – is looking for a group of talented individuals to join the Board of Directors. These are voluntary positions, although reasonable expenses will be re-imbursed. Individuals are sought from a range of age groups, cultures and backgrounds, with skills and experience to a high level in one of more of the following areas:
· Arts management/production
· Strategic and business planning
· Jazz practitioner with broad experience
· Fundraising (public and private sector)
· Finance
· PR/Marketing/Communications
· Music education/outreach
· Governance/trusteeship of other organisations
· Digital technologies

Friday, July 19, 2013

Sad to report the death of drummer/vibes player and composer Peter Appleyard. British born but Canada based Appleyard played with Benny Goodman, Sinatra, Tormé, Ella and many others. I seem to recall hearing him at Newcastle's Tyne Theatre with, I think Peanuts Hucko although I could be wrong.

This
was a wonderfully enjoyable do involving a celebration of the co-op,
great value for your £5 ticket, with the money going towards this
years’ co-op charity, a carers’ organisation. And the music to
enhance the occasion was jazz, supplied as above. Jazz musicians
sure do get around! The Great Hall itself is a joy to see, finely
decorated in an Art Deco or maybe Art Nouveau style – sorry I’m
no interior design expert. About 200 people gathered, many of them
being ladies from co-op committees or ex-employees, and Tyne Tees
Television were present doing interviews. Apparently the hall used
to be part of the co-op warehouse in former days, and there was a
stall with items from the co-op archives.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Voice and guitar opened up with Alone Together - total empathy 'twixt the two. Adventurous reading of the lyric and meaningful chords and counter melodies from guitar. The Walkington bass entered the fray for No More Blues sung, initially, in Portuguese. It sounded authentic. Guitar and bass played interesting lines that complemented each other.Softly, As I Leave You, reminded us of the late Matt Monro but Georgia put her own brand on it with an emotive bass and voice introduction. This girl can interpret a lyric with the best of them adding sweeps and slurs to reshape the song in her own image.

Eddie Bellis’ Lickety Split began by playing to the faithful few at the Star Inn on Westgate Road in Newcastle. It was oppressively hot and a big ‘do’ just up the road at the Discovery Museum hit audience numbers. No matter, Bellis’ classy outfit played for the few and, no doubt, their own enjoyment. The tunes choice, the ensemble work first rate, the soloists polished, any jazz fan walking in off the street couldn’t fail to be impressed.

Pete McGuiness is an established jazz arranger, trombonist & vocalist, based in New York City. The first album to showcase his voice, this combination of all facets of his musicianship has resulted in the swinging scatfest ‘Voice Like A Horn’. The recording features a small ensemble of piano trio and horns, & McGuinness’s arrangements provide ample opportunity for improvisation for all the instrumentalists, of which his scatting is an integral part.

Outside tney were frying eggs on the pavement, in the basement bar of the Spice - that most ambient of London jazz venues - the Swamp Dogs were cooking Creole Gumbo Chicken a la Jaco.

This is modern day New Orleans although without clarinet. Mercifully, also sans banjo.

From the opening I'm Going Back to New Orleans we knew we were in for a treat. Williams blows a robust, almost ribald trombone that shouts its message at you. Subtlety doesn't live here - it would be as out of place as a nun in a bordello. Pianist Miller took the vocal. Bourbon St. Parade was done as a rhumba and St James' Infirmary as a samba. No slaves to tradition are these guys, finishing off the latter number with the intro to Night in Tunisia!

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Harris is more than just a pianist he's a showman an entertainer an audience participator who delighted the well attended Soho eaterie.Yes he's all of them but most importantly he's one of the best jazz pianists on the planet.

He builds almost from nothing as witness the opening Heart and Soul. Starting off like the most basic of pianists - Heart and Soul is second only to Chop Sticks in the fledgling pianist's repertoire - he gradually filled it out with some luscious block chords. When Green and Brown were added to the canvas the harmonies were rich and the angular lines flowed freely. The bassist held his own solowise and the immaculately dressed Brown's brushwork was equally immaculate.

Don't let the title put you off - this is no pet shop fire! In fact I'm a little unclear what the title implies! Médicins Sans Frontières is said to be the inspiration Perhaps it means that music should be without borders? Fortunately, the compositions and arrangements of Glenn Cashman and Eric Fütterer are well within the borders of what I recognise as good jazz.

Brandon Bernstein lists Jim Hall and Ed Bickert as being among his influences and it has to be said that those influences have been well absorbed albeit without dampening Bernstein's own creativity. But Beautiful is an apt title for this disc as, not only does he do justice to Jimmy Van Heusen's immortal tune, first heard crooned by Bing in Road to Rio (1945), but it also sums up the album - beautiful.

(Review by Russell)It was a dog day afternoon up on the hill. The Cumberland’s summer beer
festival was in full swing – rumour had it supplies were running out! The
barbie similarly packed-up too soon as a crescent moon rose in the still
burning blue sky. The strains of a CrescentCity jazz band could be
heard in the distance. A marching band wound its way into view along James
Place Street. Graham Hardy’s Northern
Monkey Brass Band entered the arena to impart the good news…we have a
friend in Jesus! More good news…the beer continued to flow.

The annual all-dayer. Non-stop
blues down at the Ouseburn Delta. The outdoor stage for once came into its own.
Beer, shades and tans occupied every vantage point on a jumpin’ hot day. Chicago blues, Mississippi
Delta blues, West Coast, all blues. A flying visit (an alternative option
beckoned) hit upon TC and the Moneymakers.TC (Tom Cocks – harmonica & vocals) and the boys- Karl Moon (guitar), Lee Parry (bass), Andy
Westbrook (drums) - made the journey from York. The front man vocalist blew a mean harp
backed by a tight trio of guitar, bass and drums. Fifties Chicago
blues, a Texas
shuffle, straight vocals complimented authentic blues guitar throughout a
well-received set. If you happen to be in York…Local lad Bob Bates brought along three guitars and any number of tunes, to
take us On the Road Again by way of
Bo Diddley, Robert Johnson to a Mannish
Muddy Waters. The festival main attraction Lyndon
Anderson would soon be closing a perfect Ouseburn blues day but the call of
a Horn Dog up on the hill made your reviewer hit the trail (Hellhound or not).

The album notes are great...”At its heart the album is a kind of
journeyman’s diary of the road to First Avenue from ‘beats and bars’, the
vibrant heart of our hometown music scene, to a host of delightful venues
hidden in the crevices of the Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The
rambling lovers, the fairy forest-dwellers, the lost sea-souls and Dixieland cowboys,
the Romani rock ‘n rollers, with their healthy amount of medicinal booze and
burlesque, are just a few of the people we met along the way. Hope you
enjoy...”

When something like this drops through the letterbox amidst the plethora of boundary pushing CDs that Joe the Postie usually brings from near and far it is like a cool breeze in a heatwave although Claytonia is neither cool nor hot. What it exudes is warmth.

Forget about women
singing love songs, this was something quite different, intelligent songs about
life, with attitude, imagination, humour, all originals composed by the band,
and very good musicianship. Not a jazz gig but well worth reviewing for the blog.
The Iceni were apparently a Celtic tribe during Roman times, connected with
Boadicea, and Lindsay had dressed for the part, flimsy pale dress and golden
criss-cross sandals, plaited hair, a suggestion of the goddess, with a bass
guitar instead of a lyre. White fairy
lights round the bass drum added to the atmosphere. The audience stood in front
of the stage wowing the band on, knowing many of the songs.
Good harmony singing, sometimes wonderfully dissonant, the keys illustrating
the words, instrumental breaks, constantly repeated riffs such as ‘I’m scared
of my own genius’, drums commenting, and a steady effective bass.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Some years ago your reviewer
attended a lecture on French cinema. The lecturer began by speaking in French. The
look of disbelief on the faces of most of those present was priceless, then a look
of relief when the speaker stopped and spoke in English to say that his
introductory remarks were but a little joke! So to Djangologie at the Lit and
Phil.

The thrills of SW19 would have been enough for many people on
Sunday July 7, but for me the delights were yet to come! My surprise from my
family was a trip to the 02 Arena to see Michael Bublé live, and oh my goodness
I have barely come down from the clouds after the experience.

This guy is the highest grossing male live performer (Beyoncé
being the female) and it is not difficult to see why after watching his
faultless performance. This was the 7th of 10 shows, all sold out. He came on
in a blaze of glory and just knocked our socks off with his opening number I've Got You Under my Skin. More of the
same calibre followed as he went into his sentimental mood, for which he made
no apologies telling his adoring audience that from being a young boy and listening
to jazz records belonging to a relative he had loved this timeless genre
of music.

A 7 a.m. call this morning informed organizers that songstress Johanna Graham has gone down with chicken pox and therefore is cancelling her scheduled performances for tomorrow with her Quartet at The Mall, Sutton Coldfield(12:30) and Gosta Green (17:30). Johanna will be replaced in these listings by Bob Hall & Dave Peabody.

Unlucky 13th has certainly lived up to its name with a string of cancellations on Saturday, all involving female artists. Along with Johanna, The Flamin’ Mamies, an all-girl five-piece from Liverpool and one of the festival’s hottest tips, were rehearsing on the Wednesday before the festival when a serious argument broke out. To cut a long story short, the five singers vowed never to speak again and unsurprisingly, no longer exist! But in the wake of their absence, we have the following fantastic acts booked to replace them:

In a Ronnie Scott’s first, jazz legend Wynton Marsalis’ sold out show on Tuesday 23rd July is to be broadcast live to a potential audience of millions around the world. Thanks to the power of the internet and a ground breaking partnership with Panasonic, a world-wide audience will be given an unparalleled opportunity to experience the famed ambience of one of the world’s most iconic venues, swinging to one of jazz’s most iconic stars, all in stunning HD.

The Benn Clatworthy Quartet with John Donaldson on piano is in the north west in November They play Wakefield on November 15 and Southport on November 17 and are looking for a gig on November 16. Interested promoters visit the Benn Clatworthywebsite for contact details.

With the advertised attraction
Mike Papapavlou absent, it was a case of wait and see who turned-up at Dave
Weisser’s weekly workshop. The mainstays were there, of course – Dave Weisser,
Barrie Ascroft and Norman Redhead – and the frequently gigging Ray Truscott
took his turn in the bass chair. Add altoist Rachel Rickman and the keen
clarinet of Peter Hepplewhite (himself something of a regular at the weekly
session at the Chilli) and we had the makings of a good night. A pint of Workie Ticket at hand, let’s go!

Opening with One by One it soon became apparent that the "Safe Sextet" were playing anything but safe going for the jugular right from the start. The front line fire, well stoked by the power drive of Gilligan, Grainger and dep drummer Francis, became an inferno when they took Horace Silver's amusing classic Quicksilver even quicker. Previously the calypso rhythm of McCoy Tyner's Island Birdie had proved infectious - man I was almost in Trinidad!

Tuesday, July 09, 2013

See the review for last
Monday’s event. The jazz-singing class is too numerous for all of us to strut
our stuff on the same evening, so the second set of ‘voices’ performed last
night, and they made a really good sound and entertained us mightily.Once again, I cannot comment on my
colleagues, but it was lovely to sit back and listen to others, without having
the responsibility of performing myself, without having to decide on which key
to sing in, the timing, the style of song, be it swing, ballad or bossa, the
intros and outros etc.As I said previously,
there’s more to jazz-singing than you might think.

Readers may be interested to know our
repertoire for this term. The 5 songs we
covered were: All The Things You Are; If
You Never Come To Me; Get Out Of Town; Darn That Dream; and Four.
We rounded off proceedings with mass singing of Four. We thoroughly enjoyed
doing this, but I'm not sure what Miles Davis would have made of it!

Thanks again to Lindsay
and the Blue Jazz Quintet. See you all
next term!

Originally the idea of George Mesterhazy, Shirley Horn’s pianist , this project was
dedicated to them both following his sudden death at the age of 59. The result is a vinyl EP, engineered, produced
and designed as a 1950s or ‘60s jazz album.
The sleeve includes extensive background information, from the
instruments used, to the equipment that cut the vinyl. This obsessional attention to detail is
reflected in the quality of every aspect of the recording.

Tommy Smith (ten/md); Ru Pattison (alt/sop/clt); Martin Kershaw (alt/clt); Konrad Wiszniewski (alt/ten/clt); Bill Fleming (alt/bar/bs. clt/clt); Ryan Quigley, Cameron Jay, Tom McNiven, Lorrie Cowieson (tpt); Kevin Garrity, Phil O'Malley (tmb); Michael Owers (bs. tmb); Brian Kellock (pno); Calum Gourlay (bs); Alyn Cosker (dms).(Review by Lance)I knew what to expect - or at least I thought I did. The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra's CD In the Spirit of Duke has never been far away from the machine and yet, hearing it live added a new dimension and the richness of the saxes combined with the power of the brass and a tightly knit rhythm section made for a band that ticked all the boxes.Having said that, I found even the abbreviated version of Rhapsody in Blue still a tad (well several tads) too long. Likewise Tommy Smith's showstopping closer the tenor sax marathon Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue paying homage to the legendary Newport '56 solo by Paul Gonsalves could also have benefitted from a little more brevity. But these are minor quibbles in an evening that fairly sizzled both musically and weatherwise.

Monday, July 08, 2013

BSH: Hi
Claudia nice to hear from you again. I lovedTwelve
O’clock Talesit was so
fresh and I still play it which is something I don’t do with too many review CDs.

I'm glad you
still play it, that makes me happy!

BSH:
You have a background of theatre and singing and now you are combining the two.
Tell me about this new project – Secret Love.
About Doris Day I guess. My very first schoolboy crush!

I think she had
that effect on a lot of boys and men!

BSH: True! Tell me how this project came about.

A few years ago I discovered Doris's voice when a pianist I worked with thought there
were similarities vocally between Doris and me. I started listening to her and
fell in love with her wonderful voice, I have never tired of it. I then felt
compelled to read her biography (which I found fascinating) and watch
her movies. I knew I wanted to tell her colourful life story and
sing her songs. Last year I was also asked by actress Tracy Ann Oberman to sing
a Doris Day part in her play for BBC Radio 4. She was so thrilled by my singing
of Doris - this was the catalyst I needed to
start the project.

Murray Mania. The Scot we’re proud to claim
as a Brit! The town was quiet, the denizens BBQ-ed out, in a slumber. But wait,
Sunday means one thing… Splinter @ the Bridge. The faithful turned out as
usual. Good to see Alter Ego back at the Bridge. It was warm, very warm.
Windows open – the sounds of modern jazz hung on the air.

The sun was shining and, at this year's Cumberland Reel, plenty folk were rocking and reeling thanks to the excellent selection of ales from the Allendale Brewery.

There were several bands throughout the day and into the evening although I didn't hear them all. Fortunately I did hear the New York Brass Band - not from Lower Manhattan as the name might imply but from Downtown York. that's right, York just 90 miles down the road. They arrived after gigs in Spennymoor and Durham as part of the Brass Festival

We learned that in York the council has banned them from busking in the city because they were causing congestion - such was their popularity. Understandably so - they don't just play they march, they put on a show. At one stage one of the trombone players was standing on the roof playing whilst others were on tables. It was sheer madness but musically sound as they transported us over to Louisiana and the funkiness that prevails in the Big Easy today.

Sexual Healing I think it was - or maybe it was the George Michael number they played - was the one that got the crowd going and soon the dancers were strutting their stuff on the cobbles. They're all good soloists and all, literally, had their moment in the sun. My apologies but I didn't catch their names although I did hear Simon from Jarrow mentioned.

Sunday, July 07, 2013

Fiona
Finden (ten.sax and vocals), Stuart Finden(ten. sax) Jim Crinson (bass),
Eric Stutt (drums), Harley Johnson (keyboard).
(Review by Peter S.)The
Bud Tones were first time visitors to AJC and introduced their brand of
modern Jazz in which they strongly believe.I must
admit that although not to everyone's taste you could not disregard their
passion and commitment to the music or their instrumental skills. Our audience
listened with interest and applauded warmly.

The Hebburn Open Bowls Tournament has been held for decades every Summer on the bowling greens in Carr-Ellison Park, Hebburn. The event takes placeTODAYand Aussie reed player, Don Armstrong, with a few of his Tyneside 'cobbers' will be there playing popular 20's jazz to entertain competitors and spectators from 3.30 - 5.00pm. Brian.

Saturday, July 06, 2013

Hanging around South Shields Market today - I'm an inveterate hanger around of markets - I came across a CD - Mingus Oh Yeah. I shrugged, I've had it on vinyl for years and wasn't really bothered about duplicating it on CD. However, when I noticed there was a previously unreleased 24 minute interview with Mingus by Atlantic guiro Nesumi Ertegun the three quid tag looked a bargain - and it was!

For those, unfamiliar with the disc Mingus Oh Yeah has the bass player on piano singing and playing some blues inspired originals. Booker Ervin, Roland Kirk, Jimmy Knepper and Danny Richmond are in there along with Doug Watkins who merely has to play bass in a Mingus led band - no pressure!

A solo piano recital that defied definition although brilliant will do for starters. The tall, slightly greying, Venezuelan pianist nodded to the audience before sitting at the Steinway. It was a percussive start as Blanco got into his rhythm by stamping his feet, clapping his hands, slapping his thighs and having a few raps on the wood of the grand piano - it set up a groove for him to start rolling.

And roll he did. From South America to Africa to maybe the Moon. This was a composition, like most of his repertoire, that crossed the genre. It was indefinable, impossible to pigeonhole, wait a minute, of course it's definable - it's Music!

Friday, July 05, 2013

I can't write
a normal review of this event, as I was one of the ‘voices’, and it wouldn't be
appropriate to write about my friends and colleagues from Lindsay’s Monday
evening jazz-singing class at Sage Gateshead.Enough to say that the gig was planned and performed by those of us who've been attending the class for a year or two now, and have a bit more experience
of jazz-singing. I thought we put on a good show, which was appreciated by the
audience.Our material was mostly from
the Gasbook.It was hugely enjoyable to
be part of this, and special thanks are due to the band, who showed both skill
and stamina by playing for about 4 hours with just a short break.Also a special thank you to Lindsay Hannon
who teaches us each week, and to Steve Glendinning who played guitar for us in
class.

The three of them sat
together, Belinda between the guitarists, giving a relaxed and intimate feel to
a very enjoyable set, mostly of standards, sung in Belinda’s strong, rich
voice, with adventurous, skilled instrumentation, and solos, mostly from Ian, James' powerful bass made up for the absence of drums.

I suppose they just had to start with their
namesake song, Frim Fram Sauce, which
mentions the ‘shafafa’ on the side. What
is it, you ask? Apparently no-one is
sure, answers on a postcard please. Tesco didn’t even have Frim Fram Sauce
on the shelf which meant I had to make do with ketchup.

Wednesday, July 03, 2013

Another fine pianist has left us - Sweden's Bengt Hallberg. Back in the 1950s, Sweden was at the forefront of European jazz with outstanding players such as baritone saxist Lars Gullin, altoist Arne Domnerus and pianist Hallberg. They recorded with many Americans, Hallberg receiving international recognition after a series of sides with Stan Getz. I still have them on Esquire 78 rpms as well as on LP - treasured items.

Tuesday, July 02, 2013

When JATP rode into Newcastle City Hall on a day in February (maybe March )1962 we looked forward to hearing Ella, Hawk, Roy Eldridge, Tommy Flanagan, Major Holley and Ed Locke. Looking at the program, we noted that the Paul Smith Trio were opening the second set prior to accompanying Ella. Paul Smith? Never heard of him and, if it hadn't been because he had Stan Levy on drums and Wilfred Middlebrooks on bass we may have sat that one out in the bar

Some things defy words - classics. My Prawn Cocktail starter fell into that category and so did Alan Glen's version of Love For Sale. Both set the mood for an evening of good food and great jazz. Like Someone in Love followed and it was apparent that the maestro and his two henchmen were up for it.

Although restricting himself to brushes Wight didn't let that stop him swinging and Pope was as sympathetic as ever to Glen's harmonically rich renditions.

Jerome Kern's All the Things You Are was delightful and my Fillet of Seabass, Fregola Pasta, Confit Tomatoes and Spiced Crab Aioli was delicious in fact, like the next tune, it was But Beautiful.

Girl From Ipanema and Blue Monk accompanied Strawberry Parfait, Meringue, Strawberries and Crumble washed down with a bottle of Black Sheep and digested with Yardbird Suite, When I Fall in Love and The Song is You.

It was an evening to remember for all the right reasons.

We don't hear the Alan Glen Trio often enough so catch them when next you can.

About this blog - contact details.

Bebop Spoken Here -- Here, being the north-east of England -- centred in the blues heartland of Newcastle and reaching down to the Tees Delta and looking upwards to the Land of the Kilt.Not a very original title, I know; not even an accurate one as my taste, whilst centred around the music of Bird and Diz, extends in many directions and I listen to everything from King Oliver to Chick Corea and beyond. Not forgetting the Great American Songbook the contents of which has provided the inspiration for much great jazz and quality popular singing for round about a century.The idea of this blog is for you to share your thoughts and pass on your comments on discs, gigs, jazz - music in general. If you've been to a gig/concert or heard a CD that knocked you sideways please share your views with us. Tell us about your favourites, your memories, your dislikes.Lance (Who wishes it to be known that he is not responsible for postings other than his own and that he's not always responsible for them.)